This article describes the classification of biodiesel samples using NIR spectroscopy and chemometric techniques. A total of 108 spectra of biodiesel samples were taken (being three samples each of four types of oil, cottonseed, sunflower, soybean and canola), from nine manufacturers. The measurements for each of the three samples were in the spectral region between 12,500 and 4000 cm(-1). The data were preprocessed by selecting a spectral range of 5000-4500 cm(-1), and then a Savitzky-Golay second-order polynomial was used with 21 data points to obtain second derivative spectra. Characterization of the biodiesel was done using chemometric models based on hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) elaborated for each group of biodiesel samples (cotton, sunflower, soybean and canola). For the HCA and PCA, the formation of clusters for each group of biodiesel was observed, and SIMCA models were built using 18 spectral measurements for each type of biodiesel (training set), and nine spectral measurements to construct a classification set (except for the canola oil which used eight spectra). The SIMCA classifications obtained 100% accurate identifications. Using this strategy, it was feasible to classify biodiesel quickly and nondestructively without the need for various analytical determinations.

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RESUMOA radiação gama, proveniente da fonte de 60 Co, é bastante utilizada para esterilização, visando a prevenção da decomposição e a toxidez de origem microbiana em diversos produtos. O grau de radiossensibilidade de um embrião vegetal depende da espécie, do estágio de seu desenvolvimento durante a radiação, da dose empregada e do critério usado para medir o efeito biológico, sendo comumente utilizado o teste de germinação. Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, estudar a sensibilidade do amendoim a radiação gama e seus efeitos na germinação, no vigor e na micoflora das sementes da cultivar BRS Havana, irradiadas com uma fonte de 60 Co, tipo gammacell, com taxa de dosagem de 12,5 kGy h -1 . As doses testadas em kGy foram as seguintes: 0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0; 2,5; 3,0; 6,0; 9,0; 12,0; 15,0; 18,0; 21,0 e 24,0. Com os resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que as doses acima de 3,0 kGy prejudicaram a viabilidade das sementes e as doses acima de 12 kGy comprometeram totalmente o vigor e a germinação das sementes de amendoim. A radiação a partir da dose 2,0 kGy eliminou os fungos Aspergillus flavus e Aspergillus niger e, a partir da dose 3,0 kGy, eliminou o Aspergillus glaucus. O Penicilium spp. permaneceu em mais de 30% das sementes em todos os tratamentos com radiação, não sendo eliminado até a dose de 24 kGy. Palavras-chave: vigor, germinação, análise sanitáriaResponse of peanut seeds to different levels of gamma radiation ( 60 Co) ABSTRACTThe gamma radiation from 60 Co source is widely used for sterilization aiming at preventing decomposition and toxicity from microbes in several products. The degree of radiosensitvity of a plant embryo depends on the species, the development stage during radiation, doses used and the criteria used to measure the biological effect, the germination test, being commonly used.This work aimed to study the peanut sensitivity to gamma radiation and its effects in the germination, in the vigour and seeds microflora of cultivar BRS Havana, irradiated with 60 Co source, type gammacell with rate of dosage of 12.5 kGy h -1 . The tested doses were the following: 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2. 5, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0, 12.0, 15.0, 18.0, 21.0 and 24.0 kGy. With the obtained results, it was concluded that doses over 3.0 kGy damaged the seeds viability, doses over 12.0 kGy totally compromised the vigour and the peanut seed germination. Radiation over the dose of 2.0 kGy eliminated the fungus Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger, and over the dose of 3.0 kGy eliminated the Aspergillus glaucus. The Penicilium spp. remained in more than 30% of seeds in all treatments with radiation, not being eliminated until doses of 24.0 kGy.

The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using a water restriction technique with osmotic solutes to control sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed germination in blotter tests. The effects of water potential (-0.8 MPa -Megapascal, -1.0 MPa, -1.2 MPa and -1.4 MPa) of substrates osmotically modified with sodium chloride or mannitol were evaluated for seed germination, radicle length and mycoflora present in the samples. The effects of levels of osmotic potentials ranging from -0.35 MPa to -1.4 MPa were also investigated on mycelial growth of the fungi Alternaria alternata and Alternaria zinniae on PDA medium. All osmotic potentials were able to inhibit or to retard seed germination to the extent that seed examination in stereomicroscope became easier without affecting seed mycoflora associated with the seeds. Mycelial growth of A. alternata was stimulated by all osmotic solutes tested, while mycelial growth of A. zinniae was stimulated by mannitol and reduced by all NaCl osmotic potential levels used. Key words: Helianthus annuus, sodium chloride, mannitol. RESUMO Uso de solutos osmóticos na inhibição da germinação de sementes de girasol em testes de sanidade ("blotter test")Neste trabalho, o objetivo foi avaliar o uso de solutos osmóticos em testes de sanidade de sementes de girassol pelo método de incubação em papel de filtro com restrição hídrica do substrato, induzida pela adição de cloreto de sódio e manitol, em relação à germinação de sementes, comprimento de radícula e a detecção da micoflora associada às sementes ou plântulas. Foram testados os níveis de restrição hídrica de -0,8 MPa (Megapascal), -1.0 MPa, -1,2 MPa e -1,4 MPa. O crescimento micelial in vitro dos fungos Alternaria alternata e Alternaria zinniae foi também avaliado em meio de BDA osmoticamente modificado com os mesmos solutos e níveis de restrição, variando de -0,35 MPa (BDA padrão) a -1,4 MPa. A restrição hídrica do substrato de papel induzida pelos solutos testados, nos níveis avaliados, reduziu a germinação das sementes e o comprimento de radícula e não interferiu na detecção dos fungos. A restrição hídrica do meio BDA, induzida por manitol nos diferentes potenciais osmóticos testados, estimulou o crescimento micelial tanto de A. alternata quanto de A. zinniae, enquanto que o meio modificado com NaCl estimulou apenas o crescimento micelial de A. alternata, afetando adversamente o crescimento micelial de A. zinniae. Palavras-chave: Helianthus annuus, cloreto de sódio, manitol.

The aim of this study was to develop a method for the dry inoculation of Aspergillus parasiticus on peanut kernels for post-harvest studies. Inoculum powder was prepared by adding sterile kaolin powder to A. parasiticus spores developed on filter papers soaked with spore suspension prepared with Czapek medium (5% agar), which were dried at room temperature. Concentrations were adjusted to 5 x 10 5 and 1 x 10 6 spores g -1 of kaolin. Varied amounts of the powder inoculum were then used to inoculate 1 kg of peanut kernels. Inoculation was performed by mixing the powder inoculum with the peanut kernels in plastic bags until the kernels were completely covered. The effectiveness of this inoculation method was compared with the common inoculation methods of immersion in aqueous spore suspensions and contamination through contact with fungal colonies growing on culture medium. Fungal growth assay was performed on PDA saline medium, and near-infrared radiation measurements were used to determine peanut kernel moisture content. The dry inoculation technique was effective in inoculating peanut kernels with A. parasiticus, especially at concentrations of 3 x 10 6 and 4 x 10 6 spores g -1 per 1 kg of peanut kernels. In contrast to usual methods of inoculation, the dry inoculation technique does not increase the moisture content of inoculated peanut kernels. Thus, the physical state of the peanut kernel remains intact.